What Are Your Fourth Of July Plans?

Fourth of July is coming!

I've told my kids the history. I think it's important.

"We could be British right now," Tommy once said solemnly.

"And why did Benedict Arnold betray us?"

Natalie reminded us that this year we'd be in Texas. "And that means we can see my Nonna and Papa! Holidays are about family!"

She's right. With my husband in the military, it means we spent a lot of holidays away from extended family. It was tough.

But now the military is being kind, and they allowed us to be in Texas, near my family.

So our plans are going to my parents' house.

There will be meats and the usual sides.

But no one is going to make anything. No one really cares to cook now in my family. We're going to order out.

And even better? It seems my Nana Jo is going to join us. She's 95 so sometimes she's too tired for outings. But it seems she'll be there. And I love listening to my Nana Jo. She's a fellow military spouse, you see, and has lots of wisdom. And stories. Oh how I love the stories.

I bought sparklers. I forgot that I could have bought fireworks. Since we live off base now, we can set them off legally. I guess our neighborhood shoots fireworks off well into the night.

Tom has the 4th of July off. Since he's training to be a MTI, I wasn't sure if he'd still have to work. But nope, he'll be with us. Hooray!

So what are your plans?